CHICAGO (NewsNation) — An Illinois appeals court has issued a stay on U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis’ order that requires U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino to appear in person each day to update Ellis on ongoing federal operations.
Ellis issued the order on Tuesday during a 60-minute hearing in which Bovino was questioned about tactics being used by federal officers and agents as part of Operation Midway Blitz. Federal sources told NewsNation on Wednesday that Bovino had arrived at the federal courthouse early for his scheduled meeting with Ellis when the building was placed on lockdown for a reported bomb threat.
A device was reportedly found, and the building was locked down with Bovino and team inside. Sources also say he was instructed by the judge to use the basement entrance versus the street. Chicago Police said that officers responded to the federal courthouse around 3:30 p.m. for a report of a suspicious package.
The package was cleared, and police said the scene was secured. Chicago Police directed any further inquiries to the FBI.
Under the order, Bovino, the face of the ongoing federal enforcement operation that began in Chicago in early September, was required to meet with Ellis each day at 6 p.m. to discuss incidents involving federal officers and agents.
Ellis, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama, ruled Tuesday that Bovino would meet with her daily until Nov. 5.
However, the 7th Circuit Court granted the federal government’s request on Wednesday to have the order stayed and gave attorneys representing a group of journalists, clergy and protesters until Thursday evening to respond to the government’s petition.
In their petition, attorneys for the federal government said Ellis’ order “significantly interferes with the quintessentially executive function of ensuring the nation’s immigration laws are properly enforced by waylaying a senior executive official critical to that mission on a daily basis.”